What’s on this week: 7th – 13th October

Another new post! Every Sunday I’ll be bringing you my pick of cultural, crafty and creative happenings in Northern Ireland during the week ahead.

You can also check The Patchwork Quill’s What’s On calendar at any time for upcoming and recurring events in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Do get in touch if you know of anything I should be including here. I’m very conscious that most of the things that catch my eye are Lisburn- or Belfast-centric – I want to learn more about what’s happening in the rest of the country and include a wide variety of events from across NI, so please point me in the right direction!

Belfast Restaurant Week – Belfast, Sat 5 – Sat 12 October

Monday sees the city’s week long food-lovers’ festival entering its third day. Restaurants and eateries across the city are hosting events and putting on special dishes and offers, with the opening event, Taste and Dine at City Hall, launched on Saturday by Celebrity Masterchef finalist Hardeep Singh Kholi. A range of events have already taken place over the weekend, including a lunch and book reading in Ryan’s Bar, hosted by local author AGR Moore (subject of the most recent PQ Q&A).

The annual International Film and Television festival for young people kicked off in Belfast on Friday but there is still nearly a fortnight of screenings, workshops and events to be enjoyed. There is an educational element aimed at nursery, primary and post-primary children; a schedule for children and families and programmes for both young people between the ages of 12 and 16, and for those between 16 and 25.

The first ever NIMHAFF will be a celebration of mental health, that also challenges stigma and encourages recovery and wellbeing. Northern Ireland is the last region of the UK to have an arts festival focused specifically on mental health, and it’s hoped it will become a popular annual fixture. Events range from the serious and thought-provoking to lighthearted and fun and everything is free of charge.

This year’s two-day roadshow is split into five zones – Living Space; Energy & Technology; Kitchens & Bathrooms; Gardens & Outdoor Space and Interiors. This year, Habitat for Humanity will be at the show – the building charity will be accepting donations to their Habitat Restore shop, as well as showcasing what can be done with the furniture and home improvement materials they sell at knockdown prices.

Artistic upcycling collective, and Patchwork Quill favourite, ReFound is transforming its Wellington Place showroom into a pop-up house this weekend. There’s a cocktail reception on Saturday and everyone is invited to ‘pop in’ and view a host of new products and collections to inspire your own home décor.